Cyclops (Reckless Kings MC 5): Dixie Reapers Bad Boy Romance Read online

  My phone started chiming non-stop. The tone told me it was Logan, which meant my twin had sensed my fear. It had happened one other time when we were learning to drive. Except in reverse. Logan had taken Dad’s bike out without permission and wrecked it. I’d sensed his fear and pain the moment it happened. I’d need to text him back before he freaked out. Well, more than he already had.

  He slipped his cut back over his shoulders and I tried not to stare at his broad chest, or the fact his abs were well-defined. I definitely didn’t eye the happy trail and imagine what he’d look like with his pants unzipped. Reaching up, I made sure I wasn’t drooling. On the plus side, the incident with the fucker on the ground hadn’t soured me toward men.

  “Come on, kitten. I’ll walk you to your car. Make sure you get inside safely.”

  I walked over to him and wrapped my fingers around his bicep. He reached up and covered my hand with his before leading me out of the alley. I pointed to my car and noticed he scanned his surroundings as we made our way over to it. I could feel the coiled tension in him and wondered if he’d gotten that way from being with the Reckless Kings, or if he’d been in the military. His behavior reminded me of all the men back home I called family, especially the ones who’d served our country.

  He helped me gather my things, and I was thankful no one had stolen my purse and wallet. I didn’t even remember dropping them. I eyed the empty coffee cup forlornly and picked it up. After I tossed it into the trash, Cyclops reached out to take my hand.

  “Why don’t we sit a minute? You have to be a bit shaken after that.”

  I’d thought I’d been doing an admirable job of hiding it. Apparently, I hadn’t. I wondered if he knew who I was. Had Lyssa told anyone about my visit? I didn’t know if I’d be staying at her house or elsewhere. She’d just said to pack and head up to Tennessee, and that’s exactly what I’d done.

  “You don’t mind babysitting me?” I asked. “And your shirt… They won’t let you inside without one.”

  He smiled, and my knees went weak. The man was beyond sexy. A hero. Smelled incredible. Rode a bike. I couldn’t think of anything not to like about him. Although, Lyssa hadn’t sounded too keen on the idea of me hooking up with one of the Reckless Kings. Which meant this mouthwatering man was likely off-limits.

  He held the door to the café open for me, and I stepped through. I’d expected someone to demand he find a shirt or leave. Instead, they eyed his cut and didn’t say a word. I wasn’t sure how to feel about their reaction. Did it mean they feared the Reckless Kings? Or respected them?

  The calico came to greet me, and I kneeled down to pet her. She placed her paw on my thigh and I couldn’t resist. I lifted her into my arms and stood, nuzzling her soft fur and wishing I could take her home.

  “Have a thing for cats?” Cyclops asked.

  “I’ve always wanted one.”

  “Why don’t you get a table and sit with her? Tell me what you had to drink before, and I’ll order you a new one.”

  “Medium roast coffee.” He stared and waited. “That’s it. Just a medium roast coffee.”

  “Huh.” He scratched at his beard. “Don’t know many women who get plain coffee. I think the two of us are going to be friends.”

  “I’m Leigha,” I said, holding my hand out to him, the one not holding the cat.

  “Cyclops.” His fingers closed around mine and I held back a sigh. Why couldn’t I find a guy like him to date? His touch lingered. He seemed reluctant to pull away. Did he feel the same spark I did? “I’ll get our coffees, then we can talk awhile. I don’t want you driving until all the shakes are gone.”

  I nodded and found a seat. The cat seemed content to let me hold her, so I got in all the cuddles I could. It wouldn’t be long before I’d have to put her down. Getting my own place looked better and better. I could have a pet. And my parents wouldn’t constantly hover.

  Cyclops stood in line, and I admired him. He folded his arms, feet braced apart, and eyed the menu. Since he’d said he was getting two coffees, I wasn’t sure why he needed to study it so hard. A coffee order didn’t seem complicated enough for that much scrutiny. Unless it had to do with his vision. The line moved slowly. I didn’t mind. Being here with him, and the cat, was exactly what I needed. I could feel the calm settling over me. Too bad I couldn’t take them both home with me.

  The man in the alley had nearly raped me. No matter how hard I smiled, I wasn’t doing okay. Not even a little. I knew my father had gone up against men like that before. Still, it never occurred to me I could be a victim. The club had trained me to take care of myself. But the first time someone attacked me, I forgot everything I’d learned. If my father ever found out… Nope. I wouldn’t even go there.

  I couldn’t tell Lyssa either. If she knew, she’d probably lock me away.

  My phone started blowing up again. More texts from Logan. I’m fine. I’m on a date!

  I saw the little dots and knew he would reply in a moment. I felt your fear.

  Shit. I needed to think fast. Misunderstanding. Someone startled me and I jumped to conclusions.

  More dots. I don’t believe you, but I’ll let it go. For now.

  I had a reprieve, even if it would be short.

  Every time I so much as blinked, I saw that man’s hateful face as he’d yanked my pants down. The trembling in my hands increased, and I held the cat a little tighter. She didn’t seem to mind. Maybe she understood how much I needed this right now.

  Cyclops returned with our drinks, and I noticed a sack in his hand. He set it on the table in front of me. “Thought you might need something to eat. It’s a plain bagel, and I got both cream cheese and avocado. Wasn’t sure which you’d like.”

  “Thank you.” I smiled up at him. “That was thoughtful. I’m feeling a little better. I still can’t believe I…”

  He sat and reached over, placing his hand on mine. “You’re sure I got there in time?”

  I nodded. “Yeah. It was stupid. I know better than to go to my car without having my keys already in my hand. Then he came up behind me, and I blanked on everything I learned about defending myself.”

  If I kept saying I was doing all right, maybe it would be true. Fake it ’til you make it, or something like that. I couldn’t let anyone see how rattled I felt. A biker’s daughter needed to be tough. I felt more like a marshmallow at the moment.

  “Who taught you self-defense?” he asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

  “My dad and his… brothers.” I eyed him, wondering if he’d figured out yet who I was. So far, it seemed Lyssa hadn’t told the Reckless Kings about my visit. I was certain Beast knew, but did anyone else?

  “Do you need to call them? I can wait with you if you’d prefer for one of them to take you home.”

  I cocked my head to the side. “I’m a little old to ask Daddy to come pick me up. Besides, they don’t live here. I came to visit a friend.”

  His fingers caressed my hand before he pulled away. “Boyfriend?”

  I shook my head. “No. But you know her.”

  “Is that right? How do you figure I know this friend of yours? Town might be small, but it’s not that small.”

  “Because she’s your President’s old lady. I came to see Lyssa.”

  His eyebrows rose. “So when you say your dad and his brothers, either you met Lyssa at college, or you mean the Dixie Reapers taught you self-defense. I’m betting on option two. Which one is your dad?”

  “Preacher.”

  “Thought his kids were all younger.” He drank more of his coffee and leaned back in his seat. He crossed his booted feet beside my chair.

  “I’m an adult, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Good to know.” He smiled. “Eat your bagel, and you can follow me back to the compound. Unless you want to ride on the back of my bike? I could ask a Prospect to come get your car.”

  “You’d let me ride with you?” I asked.

  He gave me a sexy smirk before taking ano
ther swallow of coffee. “I’d love nothing more.”

  I’d read novels where the heroine felt butterflies when she met the hero. I now understood. It felt like a dozen butterflies were swooping around inside my stomach. I drank my coffee and ate my bagel, not once taking my gaze off Cyclops. It felt a little surreal. Why did a man like him want anything to do with me?

  * * *

  Cyclops

  The moment she said her daddy was Preacher, I should have backed the hell off. From what I knew of the man, he had a protective streak ten miles wide when it came to his kids. Especially his daughters. Something told me she’d be keeping what happened a secret, not only from her dad but from Lyssa too. She’d fought hard, even if the asshole had knocked her down. If I’d been a moment later, I worried he’d have succeeded.

  She smiled brightly and did her best to show the world it hadn’t bothered her. Unless you were looking hard enough to see the tinge of fear still in her eyes or notice the way her hands shook now and then. What happened would haunt her for a while. When she went to bed tonight, she’d relive those moments. There wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it either. If she screamed out during a nightmare, anyone nearby would hear her. Then her secret would be out. Unless she’d had some other trauma I didn’t know about or scared easily from horror movies. But the girl who’d fought back in the alley didn’t seem like the kind to scare easily.

  I eyed the cat, now curled up asleep at her feet. Anyone could see how much she loved the little creature. If Leigha lived here, I’d see about buying the cat for her. I didn’t know if it was up for adoption or belonged to the owner of the café. But I’d learned most things had a price. The question was more about how much you were willing to pay.

  “You visiting for a specific reason?” I asked.

  “I needed a break. I love my family, but they can be overbearing. Not to mention it’s hard to date with my dad and all the Dixie Reapers scaring everyone off.”

  Well, now. Wasn’t that interesting? “You came up here looking for a date?”

  “Yes. Although, I wouldn’t be averse to finding a boyfriend. I wouldn’t mind moving up this way if I could find a job and support myself.” She looked down at her coffee and nibbled on her lower lip. The way she twirled the cup belied her anxiety and hesitation over whatever was on her mind. I waited her out, hoping she’d be open and honest with me. Whatever she had to say, I wouldn’t think less of her. “I asked Lyssa about anyone available in your club. She seemed to think no one would be interested.”

  I tensed and forced myself not to move. I wanted to lean closer and assure her that was the furthest thing from the truth. Hell, I’d love nothing more than to take her home with me, and I had a feeling a few of my brothers would be more than slightly interested. Even knowing if I messed around with her, it would mean claiming her as mine, I still wanted her.

  “Not sure why she’d think that,” I said.

  She took a breath and let it out slowly before lifting her gaze to mine again. “Would you be willing to go on a date with me? Or am I not your type?”

  “You mean brave, beautiful, and sweet? Can’t say that I know any guy who’d walk away from a woman like that. So, yeah. You’re my type, and I’d do far more than date you.” Her cheeks turned pink, and I smiled as I took another swallow of my coffee. I loved seeing that blush. She reeked of innocence, and if she’d had trouble going on dates at home, I’d bet good money she was still a virgin.

  And now my dick was hard as granite, just thinking about being her first. Her only. I cleared my throat and decided it would be best to steer the conversation in another direction.

  “If Lyssa said none of us would be interested, maybe she doesn’t want you paired up with a Reckless King. Might want to talk to her before this goes any further.” I paused. “Although this is kind of a date right now, isn’t it?”

  “You want this to be a date?” she asked, her voice so soft I nearly missed what she said.

  “Guess that depends, kitten. Do you want it to be one?”

  She nodded. “I’d like that.”

  “Then this is our first date.” I settled into the chair more. “You said you’re an adult. Exactly how badly am I robbing the cradle right now?”

  She smiled. “I’m twenty.”

  I took another swallow of coffee and realized I’d drained the cup. I needed another one, maybe with a splash of something extra. Like rum. “I’m eighteen years older than you.”

  She pressed her lips together, but I saw a sparkle in her eyes. Hell. I had a feeling she was about to poke fun of my age. And I’d let her. Anything to see her smile right now.

  “That makes you about the same age as my mother,” she said. “And my dad is a lot older than her. In fact, that makes the gap between us pretty close to the age difference between them. So if you’re worried my dad will be pissed, he can’t say much. Not without being a hypocrite.”

  “Good to know.” It still left me wondering why Lyssa hadn’t wanted the sweetheart across from me to date anyone with the Reckless Kings. Of course, we seldom dated. We either hooked up for a casual fuck, or we outright claimed a woman. Had she only been trying to spare Leigha from getting treated like a club whore? She had to know none of us would do something like that -- not with Preacher’s daughter.

  She looked around the little café and sighed. “It’s time to go, isn’t it?”

  “We can get another cup of coffee, if you’d prefer to sit awhile longer.”

  “You’d be okay with that?” she asked.

  I uncrossed my ankles and leaned in closer. “Why wouldn’t I want to spend more time with you?”

  She glanced away. “It’s not something I’m used to. Except with Foster. He’s had a hard time taking no for an answer, but Bull straightened him out.”

  “Foster?” I asked, hoping the jealousy I felt didn’t bleed into my voice.

  “He’s Bull’s son. I have no idea why he’s been so insistent. I’ve told him no countless times. It wasn’t until Bull lifted him off the floor and shook him like a rag doll he got the hint.” She smiled faintly. “And he threatened to not let him prospect for the club if he didn’t learn to back off when a woman isn’t interested.”

  “I’m buying Bull a drink next time I see him,” I said. I didn’t care if Foster was Bull’s son. If he’d pushed Leigha for more than she was willing to give, then he needed his teeth knocked down his damn throat.

  “I don’t think he’d have actually hurt me.” She twisted the cup in her hands. “He seemed offended when I compared him to the men our clubs take down. He said he’d just wanted a date. It never occurred to him me saying no repeatedly and him cornering me meant he’d crossed a line.”

  “No offense to Bull’s kid, but he’s a fucking idiot,” I said.

  “I won’t disagree with you.” She held her cup out to me. “If you were serious about staying longer, I’d love another cup.”

  I reached for it, my fingers touching hers. “I’d be happy to get you another. Or you could follow me to the compound, and I can brew a pot at my house. Unless you’d be uncomfortable. We’re still strangers, so I’d understand if you prefer a public setting.”

  “How far do you live from Beast’s house? Once Lyssa sees my car, she’ll know I’m there.”

  “Other side of the compound, opposite direction.” I stood with both our cups. “Tell you what. I’ll get us a refill here, and after you’ve let Lyssa know you’re in town, we can plan our next date. Maybe you can come over for dinner tomorrow.”

  I could tell she enjoyed spending time with me, and hell if I didn’t want to know more about her. But I also didn’t want her getting into trouble. If Lyssa expected her today, then it meant Beast did too. Last thing I needed was the Pres breathing down my neck because I’d waylaid his old lady’s friend.

  Not to mention, with her being a Dixie Reaper by birth, I needed to do this the right way. Beast might have claimed Lyssa with no one’s prior approval, but he had more clout as
the President of the Reckless Kings. I might be a patched member, but that was it. I didn’t hold an officer’s position, and I wasn’t sure her dad would think I was anywhere near good enough for her.

  I ordered our refills, then carried them back to the table. I noticed the cat had wandered off and found a patch of sunlight. It sprawled on the floor. I stepped over and set our cups down on the table. Leigha had her phone out, and I saw Lyssa’s name light up on the screen, right before the Allman Brothers’ Midnight Rider started playing. I shook my head. Leigha kept surprising me. In good ways.

  “Better answer or she’ll freak out,” I said.

  She picked up the phone and accepted the call. “Hey, Lyssa.”

  I watched her facial expressions, sliding her coffee closer to her. She mouthed a thank you before taking a swallow.

  “I’m fine. I swear I’m not dead in a ditch.” She rolled her eyes. “Did my mom call? Because that’s something she’d say.”

  Her gaze cut to me, and I wondered what the Pres’ old lady was saying to her. She made a few mmm-hmms and even nodded, like Lyssa could see her through the phone call. Her eyes went wide, and she glanced out the windows.

  “You don’t have to send anyone to get me. I’ll be there in a little while.” She pressed her lips together, and I saw panic flash in her eyes. “I’m having some coffee, Lyssa. It was a long drive, and my parents were blowing up my phone.”

  Her cheeks went bright pink, and I settled into my chair more. I didn’t know what brought that blush to her cheeks, but I damn sure wanted to find out.

  “You know why! I don’t care what sob story my mother gave you. I refuse to be under house arrest because my dad realized I was serious about wanting to date. It’s not the nineteen twenties. He can’t lock me up and throw away the key simply because he doesn’t want me to grow up. And don’t you enable him! I told you I was coming to visit, and I am.”

  The blush deepened, and she looked ready to sink through the floor in embarrassment. Pulling out my phone, I lent her a hand. I looked through my contacts and found Beast’s name, then pressed the button to open a text message.